'So You Think You Can Dance': The show behind the show

“This is the sad part,” sighs stage manager Debbie Williams before Monday’s “So You Think You Can Dance” taping begins. Then, she lists all of the dancers, one by one, and asks the audience to hold up signs if they have them.  When she calls out “Comfort,” nobody moves.

Most of the dancers have at least a sign or two. Will Wingfield, wonderboy, is particularly well-represented. And as always, Mark Kanemura’s family came prepared.  “They’re very artistic, those Hawaiians,” remarks Debbie. “Very colorful signs.”

There is about one man per row, and the rest of the seats are packed with very, very giddy girls. “Dance” titan Nigel Lythgoe takes advantage of the situation, kissing the hands of various swooning teens as he mounts his throne. “We actually have more brunettes tonight,” announces Debbie, as she surveys the room.  “It’s usually all blonds.” 

A few famous brunettes are among the masses, namely Lisa Edelstein, who plays Dr. Cuddy on “House,” and Shar Jackson, Kevin Federline’s ex-girlfriend. But you aren’t here to hear about random celebrity sightings, so on to the show!

An uncomfortable statement

In her video, resuscitated contestant Comfort Fedoke says her dad tricked her into attending performing arts school by telling her hip-hop was part of the curriculum. Now, I will support Comfort to the end, however, hearing her say that got me thinking: Perhaps it’s that attitude that turns off viewers. Comfort’s admitted aversion to other dance styles could come off as pompous.

Don’t let the door hit you

When Katee Shean and Twitch Boss team up for Mia Michaels' door-slamming contemporary routine, the judges rain on the praise.  Nigel calls it “one of the most interesting” routines ever on the show, and Toni Basil announces: “I didn’t take any notes on this one either.” 

Sure, Katee, Twitch and Mia are awesome, but Jay the warm-up guy makes sure to recognize the great unsung hero of the routine. “Give it up for the door!” he exclaims, as the crew removes the cumbersome prop.

Prepare to boo me

I’m not sure where I stand on Will Wingfield’s James Brown impersonation.  The judges give it a standing ovation and a reporter behind me announces “I could watch that for hours,” but could the naturally serious Will be trying too hard to show personality? 

Unnecessary attack

After Comfort and Mark’s hip-hop routine, which earns unequivocal respect from the judges, Nigel throws in an irrelevant insult.  He tells Comfort that she is much better when choreographed, and that her self-choreographed solo was sorely lacking.

Why throw in this random attack when he should be critiquing her couple-dance? No wonder Comfort is constantly repeating, “I’m a fighter.” She has to be a fighter when the cards are unfairly stacked against her.

Eight stars are born

When the season started, there was a starry disbelief in the eyes of the contestants. Tonight, however, while Chelsie Hightower blows kisses to the audience, I realize that a shift has occurred.

When the audience screams, “I love you,” the dancers no longer turn around to see if somebody famous is standing behind them. Instead, they reply, “I love you too.” Or, in Chelsie’s case, they blow a gentle kiss or two. 

Mark’s solo

Weird.

Mary Murphy: It never gets old

After Courtney Galiano and Will Wingfield’s hip-hop number tonight, Mary Murphy gives what might be the longest fakeout in “Dance” history. After a meandering introduction, Mary finally asserts: “You didn’t meet my expectations. You blew my expectations right out of the water!” I am ashamed to say that I actually fell for it.

Happy Birthday, dear Chelsie…

Can you believe Chelsie Hightower is only 19?  Monday was her birthday.  Which makes her a tenacious and loyal Cancer, in case you were wondering.

Chelsie’s solo

I accused Chelsie of failure to connect during her solo last week, but she remedies the issue this week, focusing on specific faces in the audience while she dances.  She must read my blog.

What a cutie!

I love Joshua Allen, so naturally, I expect everybody else to love him too. Thus, I am surprised when his adorable baby pictures don’t receive the “awwws” they deserve. 

Smart move

After his solo, Joshua does a nice job of sucking up to “Dance” producers by announcing, “When we come to your city, we’re gonna be for real, for real.” Nigel is delighted.  Never hurts to plug the “Dance” tour. 

'A long fall'

During “Dance” and “American Idol” tapings, it’s not unusual for people in the mosh pit to pass out. Debbie often reminds guests to bend their knees to avoid fainting. “You too, Cat,” Debbie points out tonight. "'Cause in those shoes, something could happen. You go over, it’s a long fall.”

‘Is there a doctor in the house?’

Despite Debbie’s warnings, however, somebody faints in the middle of the taping. “Is there a doctor in the house?” inquires Nigel. TV doctor Lisa Edelstein raises her hand.  “Not you, Lisa,” chides Nigel, in a rare moment of seriousness. “We’ve had a fan that passed out."  Then, Nigel can’t help but add: “She saw me, and …”

If you say so

Sometimes, it feels like they choreograph the dance first, and then slap a story onto it. In the case of Comfort and Mark’s foxtrot, for instance, I can’t really tell what the number has to do with Lady Luck. 

Okay, I’ll just come right out and say it

As much as I adore Joshua and Chelsie, I would be perfectly fine if I never saw another disco routine on the show. Or anywhere else for that matter. 

Will you marry me, Will?

For three little girls across the aisle from me, that stage is populated by Will Wingfield and his seven backup dancers. After extended planning, the threesome finally builds up the courage to bellow, “We love you, Will!” “I love you too,” Will replies calmly. Cue squeals and blushing. 

Farewell song

After the show comes to a close, we seal off the evening by singing "Happy Birthday" to Chelsie Hightower. Chelsie is happy to soak up the attention, and we’re more than happy to lavish it on her, but as soon as we get to the end of the song, Debbie Williams put an end to the love-fest. She shoos the dancers off the stage, then turns to us and orders: “Audience, go home!”

And so we do. Another performance night behind us.  Since the observations from the judges’ table were almost all positive tonight, voters will really have to think for themselves. Whose performance stuck out as the best of the best? And who left you wanting less?

Leave your answer in the comments section, or come tell me what you think Thursday at 1 p.m., when I lead another juicy “Dance”-chat with fellow “Dance”-addict Claire Zulkey. (Just try not to mention G-E-V. Claire is still in mourning.)

Till then!

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Photo credits: Fox

Comments

[so you think you can write]

Thanks Stephanie -- another real fine wrap up! If you get a chance, can you tell us how the sytycd dancer schedule goes? Is it new partner Thursday, routine 1 Friday, routine 2 Saturday, day of "rest" Sunday, perform Monday, learn group dance Tuesday, perform group dance (and solos?) live Thursday?

Like Comfort, Katee doesn't choreograph herself as well as she can perform which may explain why she was a surprise breakout favorite after barely clutching spot 20 in the top 20.

I think this season is memorable for the strength of the hip-hop lockers lasting late into the competition (usually they fade early because of their limited versatility) and giving the S4 a theme, signature move, t-shirt and catchphrase. I love those guys and their camaraderie.

I also loved the James Brown bit. I laffed and laffed.

[Dani]

awww, I loved Comfort's video about when she started to dance. Josh's, too. They just reminded me of what it's like to be a kinesthetic learner in a sea of people able to hold still and behave. And the image of Comfort hip-hopping a ballet class? Priceless. Gotta love a girl class clown.

Check the dance story Sir Ken tells on this video: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

[bobby]

I agree about Joshua--I've been viewing him as a dark horse for weeks. I also agree about the disco numbers--I really hope they drop them in the future, particularly as they're adding such marvelous new stuff (Bolliwood and 2-step).

I have to say, I'm loving the Napoleon and Tabitha's choreography (what I'm calling "lyrical hip-hop") this year, but sorely missing missing Wade Robson's work.

Finally, when are they going to add Swing?

[Todd]

It's obvious that the judges have it in for Mark and Comfort - they've been gunning for them for weeks. It'll be interesting to see who next lands in their crosshairs once Mark & Comfort depart (which will invariably happen, eventually).

I didn't like the door routine. I found it too gimmicky, and typically I adore anything from Mia Michaels.

Is it just me or do the dance "storylines" all seem to be blending together and coming off as a little forced?

[oakmonster]

Have a feeling Mark and Comfort are going too. I like Mark. Comfort, nyah. She can stay or go, it doesn't matter to me.

Next up, I think, will be Courtnie and, I don't want to say it, but probably Joshua. Chelsie, Katee, Will, and Twitch will have to battle that out. I have a feeling either Katie or Will will take the cake though. Just a feeling.

LOVE the door routine. LOVE the hip-hop routine. Tango could've been better but seriously Chelsie's LEGS! Didn't feel the samba all that much...nor the Broadway (sorry Katee!).

And yeah, Disco routine needs to go somewhere else. And also agree, where's the swing in this?!

[Teela]

vote courtney peopleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee pleaseeee

[Stephanie Lysaght]

I agree, "so you think you can write" (haha). Katee's solos -- featuring the swirl my head through my arm move -- leave something to be desired.

And I'll try to find out some scheduling details for you.

[Stephanie Lysaght]

Don’t get me wrong, Dani; I loved Comfort’s video too… But might it offend dance-school purists?

[Stephanie Lysaght]

I'm with you, Bobby and oakmonster! Out with the disco, in with the swing.

[Stephanie Lysaght]

Todd: my biggest problem with the door routine – and likewise, with the bed routine earlier this season – is that with so much thrashing around and prop-centric choreography, I found it difficult to critique the dancing.

[Steve in Cali]

Does anyone remember that when Chelsie Hightower performed her terrific latin dance audition Cat Deely said that she "borrowed another auditioner's partner"?
Last night they showed photos of Chelsie performing when she was in her early teens and I'm positive that her partner in those photos was the same young man who was her audition partner.
It's hardly a big deal, but why would the producers intimate that her audition partner was a stranger to her when he was actually someone she had danced with for many years? It kind of makes you wonder if they don't bend the truth in other situations as well.

[TRAVIS]

WOW SO U THINK U CAN DANCE CONTINUES THE BLACKOUT PHASE OF HOW REALITY SHOWS, WITH THE POPULARITY CONTEST VOTING( EX: AMERICAN IDOL), SHOWS HOW AFRO-AMERICAN TALENTS GET VOTED OUT VS THERE OTHER COUNTERPARTS NO MATTER WHO WAS MORE TALENTED. ON THE SHOW 7/23/08 WILL AND TWITCH WAS EASILY THE TOP TWO DANCERS BUT WAS PUT IN THE BOTTOM 2 WHICH SENT WILL HOME PACK WHICH WAS PROBALY THEE BEST DANCER. MARK HAD NOTHING ON WILL, SORRY MARK!!! COME ON AMERICA WAKE UP IT SHOULD NOT MATTER THE RACE THE VOTES SHOULD BE BASED UPON THE REAL TALENT. AMERICA GOT IT TOTTALY WRONG. OH BY THE WAY I AM WHITE SO WHAT CAN U SAY BUT I BELIEVE IN BEING FAIR.

[Irasqueen]

I have to know what the four fingers on the shoulder mean, and why isn't anyone talking about it? Why is it so hard to find an answer.

It can't be about the fourth season because only four people have been doing it-then LL did it.
Of course many times Cat says "For real" when they do it but I think there's more to it.

Please calm my brain.

[SafeTinspector]

Can anyone have as appealing a video package as the one with Chelsie and Joshua?!? Gods, the two are so sweet I've taken to watching the show with a toothbrush in hand.
You're right, the baby pictures didn't get the reaction they deserved, Stephanie.

I'm tired of the "4 real" shoulder touch thing, though. It needs to stop, please. WHat do you think? Is no one else getting rubbed raw by that?

As I've done the last few weeks, I've listed every dance, choreographer and song at my site for those that are interested (I only do it because I wanted such an list myself) www.safetinspector.com

[Pidge]

Lose the caps and take a pill. Get your eyes checked, too.
Danke.

[Declare Yourself]

Did everyone hear Nigel's Declare Yourself shoutout?

http://www.declareyourself.com/multimedia/multimedia.html

REGISTER TO VOTE!

Register. Vote. Declare Yourself

[tieisha turner]

i love the dance this is the time of my life the people who did that they awesome they looked like they were in love for real that was nice

[ct]

what is that thing they do with the hand? They hold it up to the shoulder and it looks retarded.

[Nancy Bloom]

I think Twitch will win tonight. What does everyone else think?